Reputation matters when searching for Insurance Jobs

1. Know What Is Out There

Don’t insist that you have a spotless online reputation without doing an actual check. Things have a way of slipping through the cracks, and better for you to find out now than to first hear about it from someone else. You may be able to get the unwanted picture or mention removed; at the very least, you won’t be caught off-guard.

  • Perform a thorough search of your name via Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Then, put your name in quotations and do it again.
  • Clean yourself up by setting tighter controls on sites that you can control such as Facebook and Twitter. On these sites you can use your privacy settings to limit who can view your information. On Twitter you can use “Protect my Tweet” and on Facebook you can use “Lists” to group different people together, such as professional connections.
  • Create a Google Alert that alerts you when you are mentioned online. By creating a Google+ Profile you can access tools that will allow you to remove a page from Google Search or reach out to Google directly for assistance.

2. Enlist the Help of Others

Dislike those pictures of yourself from junior high that mom loves posting or not eager to have a recruiter see that French maid outfit you wore to a party last Halloween? Let friends and family know that you’re trying to maintain a professional reputation to further your career. When they are done rolling their eyes about you being too sensitive, they will probably take down the photos and refrain from putting up similar ones in the future.

3. Be Active

Finally, remember that lacking online presence can be potentially dangerous, too.

The worst thing you could do would be to remove yourself from all social media because you’re worried about an employer finding you. But don’t create an account just to have one. Failure to respond to inquiries from others or keep profiles up to date can result in lost opportunities and make you appear lazy or disinterested. Instead, take advantage of LinkedIn to demonstrate that you’re on top of your professional game and Twitter or Facebook to show off the activities, hobbies, or volunteering you do outside of work. Hiring professionals are looking for well-rounded people!

Do you have a plan for your career?

Have a Job Target You Believe In

Be clear on what you want, why you want it and what qualifies you… Without clarity from the very start, virtually every stage that follows will be based on little more than a hunch — and that is an extremely fragile foundation for navigating a dynamic job search. You begin by engaging in some form of assessment. It could involve taking a standardized assessment instrument, keeping a journal or talking with people whose advice and feedback you value — friends, family, or a career coach. The goal is to achieve self-awareness in the form of a career target. The next, and equally important, step is a reality check. Here is where you determine that the goal you selected makes sense. Is it appropriate for you and is it attainable?

Create a Plan

Identify a few key features, such as, why is finding a new job important to you? What is your ideal time-frame for finding a new job? …What are types of companies you’d like to work for? When will you perform job searches — is there a day of the week that you will meet for coffee with your networking connections? What’s your timeline for updating your resume and cover letter? Post the plan somewhere you will see it and put important dates on your calendar. Most people don’t plan their search; they simply go about it in a haphazard fashion, so you’ll be ahead of the game. If you plan your search, you’re committing to a new job and will be more likely to find the job that you love.”

Ultimate Guide to picking good job references in Redmond

You know you’re nearing the final stretch of an interview process (and that it’s looking good for you) when a potential employer asks these three questions:

  1. When would you be available to start? (Or, how much notice do you need to give your current employer?)
  2. Can we get you set up for your physical and drug screen?
  3. Will you please provide us with a list of professional references we may contact?

Question number three can rattle even the strongest of candidates if you’re not prepared to respond swiftly with names, titles, the nature of the relationship, and current contact information for however many people with whom they’d like to speak.

Don’t get caught in scramble mode at this stage of the game. Your prompt response and the quality of your references can take you the distance if you play this right.

Let’s begin.

Who Should I List (or Not List) as a Reference?

Generally speaking, your future employer wants to talk with the following people, in order of importance (depending on your role):

  1. Your current manager or supervisor
  2. Your prior managers or supervisors
  3. Your current peers or clients (if you’re interviewing for a client-facing role)
  4. Your prior peers or clients
  5. Your personal references or friends who will vouch for you

Number five, by the way, is a remote fifth place. Reserve this one for only those times you have few other options, and make sure to ask if it’s OK to include personal references before you do so. Also, if you’re a graduating college student (or recent grad), you can absolutely include professors who may be able to speak to your performance and work ethic.

Never (ever) include relatives, unless you happen to work directly for or with one. Oh, and absolutely don’t ever give a fake name and then commission your buddy to “pretend” to be your employer or peer. Recruiters are not stupid. Treat them so at your own peril.

Keep in mind that the primary reason why potential employers want to check your references is because they want a third party to vouch for your on-the-job performance and character. You can tout your greatness all day long in the interview, but it truly gels for decision makers when others tout it for you.

Should They Be on My Resume?

Nooooooo. Heavens, no. Not only do you not need to list out your references, you shouldn’t. It takes up unnecessary resume space, and there’s a remote chance that a recruiter may be more interested in, say, your manager (who you’ve listed) than he or she is in you. No need to hand over all of this information before you captivate him or her.

Likewise, no need to write out “References available upon request.” This is a given. When the hiring manager want them, he or she will ask for them. 100% of the time.

What If I’m a Covert Job Seeker?

This can be a tricky one. If you’re currently employed—and job searching on the sly—who can you trust in these final, important legs of a job transition? I can’t answer this one definitively because every situation is different, and the stakes can be quite high. Trust your gut.

Chances are, you aren’t going to be able to use your current manager as a reference. Certainly, consider enlisting former managers. But you should also think about asking one to two colleagues with whom you have a close personal bond (and established level of trust). If and when you ask them for this support, spell it out very clearly how important it is for you to keep your search under wraps—and the potential consequences for you if they blab.

Also, if you’re providing your potential employer with a relatively weak list of references, be sure and alert them that you’re aware of that, and explain why.

How Should I Ask?

I always encourage clients to approach potential references with specificity, instead of the old, “Hey, would you be willing to be my reference?” Do that, and you’re going to have to let the chips fall where they may in terms of what this person offers up. And along those lines, do this over the phone if possible. You’ll get a much better idea of how excited (or unexcited) this person is to help you.

Make sure to frame your request in a way that spells out the details of the role you’re pursuing, what you anticipate the caller is likely going to want to talk about, and how he or she can be the most helpful.

Example: “Because they’re going through so much change and restructuring right now, I’m guessing they’re going to want to make sure I have strong leadership skills and the ability to turn around struggling teams and programs. If you’re willing, I’d love for you to share some detail on the program we revitalized in 2014.”

Be specific, and also ask this direct question at the end of the call, “May I count on you to give me a favorable reference should the company contact you?”

Don’t assume your past co-worker or boss is going to sing your praises. You never know—she may be jealous of your opportunity here or feel like you dropped the ball on something last year. If you ask this question, you’ll either get a “Yes, of course you can count on me” or an awkward pause or waffle. Don’t list anyone who responds with the awkward pause or waffle. Lukewarm references can sink you in the home stretch.

Is There Anything I Should Provide My References With?

Ideally, provide them with a copy of the job description or an overview of the role and main responsibilities. If you can, also give them some background on the person you anticipate will be calling them, so that they can feel up-to-date and prepared for the conversation.

Also, if it’s someone you’ve used as a reference before (and you suspect would be fine being listed again), provide him or her with a heads-up. Don’t list people without giving them any indication that you’ve used them as a reference for this next opportunity. That’s rude, and it may annoy them to the point of not giving you a glowing review.

What Do I Do After They Are Contacted?

Honestly, you don’t always know when a reference has been contacted, but often times your people will follow up to let you know the conversation just took place.

What do you do? This one is easy—thank him or her, and offer to return the favor if it’s ever needed. And, when you land that job? Most definitely let each of your references know, and consider a small thank you gift, like a coffee gift card or lunch.

Get it right, take it the distance, and enjoy that amazing new gig in 2016.

Redmond Salary Negotiation

Present your value.

Even if you’ve done you’re due diligence in researching salary levels for the position, you might not get what you’re worth unless you can prove that you’re worth it. “In serious salary negotiations, it is all about value proposition, If the company believes your value to be in multiples of your cost, you will have negotiating room. The higher your perceived value, the stronger your negotiating position.” If the employer doesn’t think you have greater than expected value, you will not negotiate more than a token handout.

To convince the hiring manager that your documented, numerical contributions far exceed your total financial package cost, he says you must describe the size of the problems you solve. “This is the heart of your ability to ask for more money. “They can hire anyone for routine tasks, but they mostly judge your value by the level of difficulty of problems you solve. They pay well for those who exceed expectations for performance.”

Soft Skills you will need while looking for tech jobs in Seattle

If you’re looking for a top tech job, you’ll need to up your game. Sure, your field is in high demand and has a low supply of qualified professionals. And in my years helping technical recruiters attract tech talent, I’ve heard their most common complaint: there are just too many recruiters trying to get your attention. But I’ve also heard that businesses look for something that some tech workers just don’t have: soft skills.

Soft skills are things like collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking. Some companies even prioritize these skills more than pure tech talent when looking for their next great hire. In fact, a recent study that analyzed millions of job postings found that, even for highly technical jobs, 25 percent of the required skills were soft skills.

This means that you gain even more negotiating power with potential employers when you bring strong soft skills to the table. So if you want to gain the best opportunities, read on.

Be a Problem Solver

Some intel from the other side: One huge topic in the hiring world is how to find and hire critical thinkers. Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and problem-solving are a must as companies continue to blur the lines between business and IT.

Build this skill with empathetic thinking. Do you see common frustrations around you? What is the best way to solve these problems with technology? This is your opportunity to make an impact and create value for others.

Work on Your Communication

The professional business kind. This includes writing, listening, and presentation skills. Technology is no longer in a silo. It touches everything—and can improve everything, so everyone wants a piece of it.

That means that people from all departments will want solutions you have to offer, but you need to really listen if you want to understand their needs. And you won’t be able to share your solution with leadership if you have trouble speaking about and presenting your ideas.

Build your communication skills by practicing active listening and look for opportunities to speak up in meetings. The more you practice, the more you’ll improve.

Show You’re a People Person

Technology is getting more complex; and, thanks to the Internet of things, it’s becoming intertwined with more intricate products. This means many types of skills are brought to the table, which means many people—and a lot of chairs—will be around that table.

No matter how great you are at your technical skill set, if you can’t play nicely, then you won’t last long. Boost your collaboration credibility by seeking out opportunities to work in a group environment, especially cross-functional teams.

Always Ask Questions

Curiosity also leads to creativity and innovation. Why? Curious people aren’t content to just do things they way they’ve always been done, especially without a full understanding of the reason behind them and looking into ways they might be done better.

How to Show Off Your Soft Skills

Having soft skills only helps you if you can demonstrate that you have them. Here are some quick ways to show potential employers that you’re the full package.

  • Showcase projects you’ve worked on with videos and other types of rich media on your LinkedIn profile.
  • Explain a solution you’ve delivered in terms of the economic and stakeholder value it created for your company.
  • Clearly communicate that you understand the purpose behind your past projects, whether solving a customer problem or serving an internal business need.
  • Organize a group of colleagues who can verify that you’re a positive team player. Bonus points if you write one another recommendations to display on your personal websites or LinkedIn profiles.
  • Become a thought leader in your domain. Engage via social networks, local meet-ups, guest blogs, podcasts, and communities to inspire others.

If you think beyond coding, and learn to master the soft-skills code, you’re likely to land a gig at a dynamic company (or grow in your current position). After all, where would you rather be in 10 years? Sitting behind a screen… alone, or surrounded by a collaborative team to help you take projects to the next level.

Create Your Employer Target List for Seattle

These may be companies that tend to offer jobs that fit your interests, organizations that have the company culture you desire, and/or organizations with a mission you believe in.

A Target List Saves You Time

With a target list in hand, you will actually save yourself time in your job search.

Even if it feels productive to apply to every job opening you come across, you are actually wasting your time and energy. Instead, you should only apply to jobs at companies that you believe are a good fit for you.

There is no need to waste your time applying and interviewing for jobs that do not match your qualifications and/or goals. Even if you accept a job at a company that is not right for you, chances are that you will not want to stay there very long.

It is better to take the time to find your ideal companies and apply to jobs there, in order to find a long-lasting job that you love.

Creating Your Target List

Below are a few ways to begin to create your target list.

  • Look at best company lists. Many web sites list the best companies to work for in a variety of different industries. For example, Fortune ranks companies in a variety of categories, including the Fortune 100, Fortune 500, and Fortune 1000 (based on gross revenue), the best small companies, the best companies for millennials, and more. Look through the lists that match your interests, read the descriptions of each company, and write down the companies that fit your industry interests and your ideal company culture.
  • Look to your Chamber of Commerce. Your local Chamber of Commerce should have a list of local companies. Take a look at this list to see if there are any local companies that fit your interests.
  • Look to your professional associations. If you belong to any professional associations, look on their websites to find a list of member companies. If you do not belong to any associations, click here for a list of associations by industry. Find associations in your industry, and see if you can access each association’s list of industries.
  • Browse LinkedIn. If you have any contacts who work in your field, look on their LinkedIn profiles (or other social media profiles) to see where they work. Similarly, look at members of LinkedIn groups that are related to your industry, and see where they are working.

Narrow Down Your List

Once you have created a list through these methods, it is time to narrow your list down to only the companies that are truly a perfect or near-perfect fit. To do this, you will need to research the companies on your list.

First, visit each company’s website. Read each company’s mission statement and any other information the site may have about the work environment, the people the company hires, and anything else about the company culture.

You can also visit LinkedIn’s Companies section to find company information. This section provides information on each company culture, as well as job openings and connections you have at each company.

Based on this information, cross out any companies on your list that are not a strong fit.

The Final List

Ultimately, you should have a list of 10 – 20 companies that you will proceed to target in your job search. As you continue to job search, feel free to remove or add companies as you get a better feel for the type of organization you would like to work for.

Are you a mentor?

While mentorship does entail teaching and helping out your mentee, you don’t have to approach it as solely top-down. Your mentee can be a professional asset to you, the mentor, in a number of ways–from collaborating with you on a special project to connecting you to people at their company once they’ve landed their dream job (with help from their amazing mentor).

Too young or inexperienced to be a mentor, you say? There’s no such thing. A mentor doesn’t have to be a wise old person with a cane (although they can be).

All you need to be a great mentor is the desire to help someone fulfill their career potential.

3 things to differentiate you in the workplace

Always Acknowledge People Who Help You

It may sound simple to acknowledge those who offer assistance, but it’s genuinely a significant gesture. Whether someone gives you five minutes of his or her time or an introduction to a potential employer, it’s important to let that person know that it meant something to you. And when he or she or someone else needs help, return the favor. Consider it good karma.

Own Your Mistakes

Everybody makes mistakes. Even if you try hard not to, it will happen at some point. Of course, you will do what you can to avoid making a grave error, but sometimes even that happens. While your instinct may be to run away and hide, that is the worst thing you can do. Admitting your error, finding a way to fix it, or at least taking an action that mitigates its effects, will help restore your reputation.

Be Your Own Cheerleader 

Root for yourself. If you aren’t your own biggest fan, who will be? Take note of and pride in all your successes and positive attributes. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you “job well done!” Reflecting on your achievements will spur you on to accomplish even greater ones.

New Grads, Follow 7 Steps to Score Glowing Job References

Spring is nearly in the air and millions of college students are looking ahead to graduation day. If they are getting prepared for life after they walk off campus for the final time, this group of millennials is also engaged in serious thinking about what they want to do next.

Here’s something else that students and early-career professionals should start thinking about: Building a portfolio of job references and taking the time to cultivate them.

For most employers, hiring an entry-level employee is a leap of faith. Without much of a workplace track record to judge by, employers are forced to depend on what fits on a piece of paper (a resume) and whatever can be gleaned from brief first impressions (interviews).

Is it any wonder that many entry-level job applicants from comparable schools and backgrounds are indistinguishable?

A few glowing job references can set a candidate apart from the crowd. Knowing that, how should a job seeker build out a killer roster of references? Here are seven key tips for putting together a top-notch reference list. These apply to first-time job seekers, but also to anyone who’s getting ready for the next move in their career.

1. Look for ways to cultivate your references. Check in regularly. Keep them up-to-date on your career successes. Talk to them about where you want to take your career. Not only will you build a base of supporters you can rely on for guidance, you will also have a group of people to turn to with confidence when you’re gunning for the job you want.

2. Get a sense of what your references are likely to say about you, especially your areas for improvement. This can be slightly tricky, but it’s doable. Ideally, your references are people you’ve gotten feedback from in the past, so you should have a feel for what they’ll say. To get clarity, it’s important to test your assumptions. It comes down to having a candid conversation with the people you’re planning to use as job references. Try to talk in a more casual, informal setting – at lunch or over a cup of coffee. Explain to them why you’d appreciate their help, and ask them to share their honest perspective on how they would talk about you during a reference check. Most times, references will be flattered by your request.

3. Don’t be afraid to serve as your own strongest advocate. It’s important to make sure that your professors, managers and other potential references know about your capabilities so that they can speak clearly with potential employers about you and your work. While this step is important, don’t be too aggressive when doing it.

4. Don’t hesitate to show off your strengths in the classroom and the workplace. Job references need to see what you can do, so they can tell prospective employers about it. Look for opportunities to demonstrate progress and smart work, so others can observe it. This doesn’t mean you should be a shameless self-promoter. It’s important to share how confident you are but do so while acting with a sense of humility. Still, if no one knows what you can accomplish, no one can tell your future managers why they should hire you.

5. Let your references know that they might be called upon and have their current contact information. If your references are readily available when an employer asks for them, it indicates that you’ve informed and prepared them to take a call or an online request – all good signs that you’re someone who is focused, thorough and motivated.

6. In addition to professors, try to have some former managers as references, even if they’re from internships. Input from people who have seen you perform in the workplace counts for a lot. Professors are great – and you should use them – but employers are thinking about how you’re going to perform once you’re walking through their doors. Feedback from managers at internships, summer jobs, work-study or any other kind of employment is key.

7. Be grateful – and show it. Your references are doing you a favor. They’re going out of their way to help you build your future. And they’re putting their own reputation and credibility on the line when they vouch for you. Be sure to thank them. A hand-written note or a warmly worded email can mean a lot. At the same time, these are folks whom you may want to ask for help again. Use the opportunity of thanking them, to keep cultivating the relationship and to ask what you can do to help them in the future.

So, whether you’re a college senior or someone getting ready to look for that next job, don’t lose track of your references. Good references don’t just happen. Your reference roster has to be cared for, nurtured and maintained. High-quality job references can make the difference between getting that job or wondering why your phone isn’t ringing.

Seattle Salary Negotiations

When you’re finally down to the wire on your impending job offer, there will come a time to talk numbers. “That one last conversation — where you negotiate salary — can unnerve even the most savvy job seeker.”

While most employers expect you to come back with a counteroffer, many job candidates avoid the practice and leave money on the table. “You don’t have to be one of them,” she says. “You’d be well served in your career to become comfortable with the process. You get one chance to accept a final compensation package at your company, so be prepared to make a persuasive argument.”

So how do you stay true to your target without alienating the hiring manager or hurting your prospects?

First, to prepare for that discussion, you’ll want to do your research ahead of time and figure out what someone with your experience and skills typically makes in this particular role.

Once you hear their offer and it’s time to negotiate, you should keep those numbers in mind, “but also consider the nature of the first offer and how much bargaining power you think you have,” Taylor says. And think about whether you’re currently under- or overpaid.

As a general rule of thumb, however, it’s usually appropriate to ask for 10% to 20% more than what you’re currently making. 

That means if you’re making $50,000 a year now, you can easily ask for $55,000 to $60,000 without seeming greedy or getting laughed at.

“If the original offer is on the low side of the scale, you have more leverage,” Taylor explains. “If you get an offer for 20% over your current salary, you can still negotiate for more — ask for an additional 5% — but know that you’re already in good stead.”

The bottom line: Do the math (and your research!) beforehand — know what a 10% to 20% pay increase would total, and what the going rate for someone with your skills is — and ask for that amount. Worst case scenario, the employer says “no.”